Operations Manager - Product Lifecycle

Hunkemöller • Deerfield, IL

1d

About The Position

The Operations Manager – Product Lifecycle ensures Hunkemöller’s end-to-end product and purchase order processes run efficiently, consistently, and in step with the pace of business and retail change. The role connects creative, commercial, operational, and technical functions – ensuring that information flows correctly, that changes happen once, and that everyone is aligned on what’s been decided. Acting as the voice of the product and supplier community within technology and supply chain discussions, the Operations Manager ensures that business realities are understood at every level – from system design to leadership decisions. This position combines process governance, project leadership, and people engagement. It supports an environment where teams work with clarity, collaboration, and accountability. Hunkemöller is a long-established European retailer in the midst of an ambitious transformation. The business is expanding into new channels and markets, supported by modern systems and a renewed sourcing strategy focused on speed to market. With investment in data, technology, and process, Hunkemöller is evolving toward best-in-class industry standards. This is an exciting phase of growth that blends heritage with innovation. Hunkemöller’s mission is to be a much loved, social and inclusive brand - powered by our people. We have over 900 stores in 15 countries and we are growing. Our plans to expand both in Europe and beyond provide exceptional opportunities for those with a passion for retail. Indeed, passion is one our six values: fun, inclusive, passionate, sexy, in-touch and inspiring. These values drive all we do and together with our growing commitment to the well-being of people, planet and communities, we are building a brand aligned to the demands of our global customers and those that work with us. Our USPs are many however, at the heart of what makes us special is a commitment to World-Class service, whatever the channel and wherever the store. This commitment extends to how we work with each other and creating a World-Class working environment. Hunkemöller is certified TOP EMPLOYER of the Netherlands (for the third time in a row) & Germany 2020, which underlines our people initiatives and achievements.

Requirements

• Broad retail or fashion operations experience across buying, merchandising, and/or supply chain.
• Proven track record in process improvement or digital transformation (ERP, PLM, or system integration).
• Strong relationship builder with the ability to connect product, commercial, and technical teams.
• Clear communicator who can simplify complex topics for diverse audiences.
• Organised, structured, and confident leading cross-functional workstreams.
• Positive and approachable personality with a can-do, hands-on mindset.

Nice To Haves

• Awareness of sustainability, traceability, and retail compliance regulations is a plus.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end process ownership: Define, document, and oversee standardised workflows for product creation, PO and inventory management, supply chain management, and supplier communication across and on behalf of buying, merchandising, technical and design.
• Cross-functional alignment: Ensure process for product or PO changes are actioned once, communicated clearly, and correctly reflected across systems and stakeholders.
• Advocacy & communication: Represent the needs of product, commercial, and supplier teams in all operational and technological discussions – ensuring that business language and system language stay connected.
• Continuous improvement: Identify inefficiencies or misalignments and lead structured improvement initiatives across systems and processes.
• Project & change delivery: Lead or support cross-functional projects impacting product lifecycle management, data governance, inventory management or system integration. Act as the key business partner for the PMO team.
• Project & change support: Serve as the key contact and subject matter expert for all cross-functional teams on behalf of the product teams, providing accurate guidance and clear communication for any project that requires process alignment or operational clarity.
• Governance & documentation: Maintain clear ownership maps, process documentation, and communication frameworks that guide how teams collaborate. Support distribution channels in operating with alignment and awareness of cost and time implications, ensuring risks and opportunities are clearly communicated to relevant stakeholders.
• Change enablement: Partner with IT, PMO, HR, and leadership to drive adoption of new tools, systems, and ways of working across all systems that are used by or impact the buying, merchandising, technical and design teams.
• Data integrity & reporting: Oversee product, inventory and supplier data accuracy across PLM, ERP, Merchandise Systems and connected tools, ensuring decisions are based on reliable information.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed